My Genealogy Hound

FRANCIS MENTZER, one of the representative men of Frankford township, Cumberland county, was born Feb. 4, 1840, in Frankford township, a son of Frederick and Martha (Bowman) Mentzer. In 1860 he married Mary Drawbaugh, daughter of William and Polly (Musser) Drawbaugh. Mrs. Mentzer met her death Nov. 11, 1881, at the age of forty-one years, by the explosion of a coal oil lamp about eight o’clock in the evening. This estimable lady was the mother of the following children: Abner married Jane Zeigler, who died in Carlisle, and he subsequently married a Miss Gleim; they live at Boiling Springs. Fred married a Miss McCaleb, and is located at Carlisle, where he is serving as deputy sheriff of Cumberland county. Mattie married T. A. Derrick and lives at Newville. Harvey married a Miss Musser and is located in Philadelphia, where he is a prominent pharmacist. Francis married Emma Wolf and is located in Frankford township. Minnie C. married J. S. Derr, and they live at Plainfield.

On Dec. 21, 1882, Mr. Mentzer married Catherine Mentzer, daughter of John and Eva (Householder) Mentzer, of Frankford township, and children have been born to them as follows: Mamie, May 19, 1884, died May 4, 1885; Herman Clay, July 7, 1886; Bessie Annette, Nov. 9. 1888; John E., Oct. 7, 1893. In 1902 Mr. Mentzer retired to the old homestead in Frankford township, near Entlerville, which consists of a tract of 192 acres, of which seventy are in timber. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served his township as supervisor and registrar. From 1900 to 1902 he served as steward of the County Home, and in every relation of life he has proved himself an honorable, upright man, and is deeply esteemed by all who know him.

On July 15, 1870, Mr. Mentzer sustained the loss by death of his brother, William H. Mentzer. In March, 1883, another brother, John Mentzer, met his death by drowning, while attempting to ford the Conedoguinet creek at Ahls Mill, near Newville.